Lessons from Beijing in clearing Delhi's air, Pg15

Key Highlights:

• Beijing significantly improved its air quality through a strong policy framework and cross-sector cooperation.
• In 2013, Beijing announced a five-year action plan to combat severe air pollution, focusing on the transport sector.
• Shenzhen became the first city globally to electrify its entire public bus fleet in 2017.
• Beijing incentivized electric vehicle (EV) adoption through easier access to license plates and restrictions on internal combustion engine cars.
• China's spending on fighting air pollution increased from over $450 million in 2013 to over $2.5 billion in 2017.
• From 2014 to 2022, China's average PM2.5 levels dropped faster than any other country.
• India is now looking at Beijing's success in curbing air pollution as a model to tackle the smog in the National Capital Region (NCR), focusing on vehicular pollution and EVs.

Detailed Insights:

• Beijing's approach included publishing weekly air quality reports, tracking pollution sources, and engaging the public to address air pollution.
• The city implemented strict emission standards, incentivized electric vehicles, and increased inspections for older vehicles.
• China's success involved limiting coal-fired boilers, restructuring industry, and increasing green spaces within Beijing.
• While eastern China has seen improved air quality, pollution has increased in southern and western provinces due to the relocation of heavy industries.
• India's challenges include thermal power plants operating without flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems, contributing to sulphur dioxide emissions.
• The Indian government is pushing for a shift to electric vehicles, expanding charging networks, and intensifying enforcement to combat vehicular pollution.
• China's national air pollution action plans have focused on regions with heavy industry and coal-dominated energy mixes, such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei.

Key Concepts Involved:

• PM2.5: Fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, a major air pollutant.
• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Vehicles powered by electricity, seen as a key solution to reduce vehicular emissions.
• Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD): Technology used to remove sulphur dioxide from exhaust flue gases in power plants.